Music

Benji Hughes announces a pair of 7"s with Merge

Charlotte's Benji Hughes has long been a local favorite; you can even read our 2009 interview with him (and download his excellent "Tight Tee Shirt") here. But at last, he's caught the attention of a particularly prominent Triangle institution: Merge Records.

The label will release two singles—"Shark Attack" backed with "Mama, I'm a Zombie" and "Freaky Feedback Blues" backed with "Jazz x 10"—in early October. These singles arrive just short of the year anniversary of Hughes' release of three LPs last November: OXOXOXOXOX, XXOXOXX and Songs in the Key of Animals.

While Hughes' solo material leans toward tender Americana and soul, his work as a songwriter expands far beyond what most folks might expect. He teamed with actor Jeff Bridges on Bridges' 2011 solo record, as well as with neo-soul badass Meshell Ndegeocello. Hughes also lent his songwriting skills to the movie Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story in 2007.

Hughes doesn't spend much time on the road, but you can catch him Friday night at Local 506. Tickets to that show are still available here.